Caracas is distinctive and modern, with attractive architecture that lends itself well to the deep artistic current running through the society. There's plenty to occupy tourists in the form of museums, parks, malls and nightspots - even if you are just passing through. Foodies and night-owls should head to the eateries and bars around the neighbourhoods of Altamira, El Hatillo, Las Mercedes and Los Palos Grandes.

Caracas, officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English (and Caraqueños in Spanish). It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range (Cordillera de la Costa). El Distrito Metropolitano de Caracas (Metropolitan District of Caracas) includes the Distrito Capital (the capital city proper) and four other municipalities in Miranda State including Chacao, Baruta, Sucre, and El Hatillo. The Distrito Capital had a population of 2,097,350 as of 2009.